The Ondo State Government has condemned what it described as a brazen attempt to hijack the glory of its recently concluded Araromi Beach Carnival, following misleading reports by some online media platforms claiming the event was hosted by a private individual.

In a statement issued by Princess Erelu Mopelola Tomoloju, the lead event coordinator and official consultant to ONDIPA, the carnival, which was held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the scenic Araromi beachfront in Ilaje Local Government Area, was a landmark tourism event sponsored and executed by the state government in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), and ADELLAMODELS/EVENTS.

Tomoju, however, berated misleading reports by deeonemedianews.blogspot.com, This Nigeria E-paper, and Africaarisenews.com, falsely attributing the organisation of the carnival to Dr. Taiwo Ebunola Malumi, a development the official organisers say is not only misleading but an attempt to rewrite history.

She expressed shock at the publication, describing it as a calculated move to downplay the government’s strategic efforts to reposition the state’s tourism landscape.

“The Araromi Beach Carnival is a product of months of meticulous planning and collaboration spearheaded by the Ondo State Government. It is disturbing to see individuals and media platforms peddling falsehoods to claim ownership of a state-sponsored project,” she said.

Tomoloju, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of ADELLAMODELS/EVENTS, stressed that while many stakeholders supported the vision of beach tourism, the official records clearly show that Dr. Malumi was not involved in hosting or planning the carnival.

“We appreciate all who attended and supported the initiative, including Dr. Malumi. However, attending or endorsing an event is not the same as hosting it. The carnival was neither initiated nor funded by him,” she said.

The organisers have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the media platforms involved to retract the false reports and issue a public apology or face legal action.